Newcastle United plot Coventry City transfer raid as scouts are deployed | OneFootball

Coventry City are on the cusp of securing their promotion to the Premier League

Coventry City are closing in on automatic promotion to the Premier League under Frank Lampard.

The Sky Blues reached the play-offs in two of the last three campaigns, but are now eyeing a top two finish after missing out on a place in the top flight on both occasions.

Lampard’s side drew 0-0 with Hull City on Monday evening, leaving them 12 points clear of third place Middlesbrough with just five games to go.

The club have not competed in the Premier League since 2001, but are now just four points away from clinching their place in the division.

The team have won eight of their last 10 league games, a run which began with a crucial 3-1 victory over Boro on 10 February.

Coventry could even secure their place in the Premier League as early as this weekend, depending on results elsewhere, if they win their next match, which will allow them to get to work early on planning for the summer transfer window.

Newcastle United scout Coventry City duo

According to Give Me Sport, Newcastle United sent a scout to Coventry’s victory against Derby County on Friday evening.

The Sky Blues earned an important 3-2 victory, with a goal from Frank Onyeka and a brace courtesy of Jack Rudoni.

And it’s being reported that Rudoni is on the Magpies’ radar ahead of the summer transfer window, with the playmaker impressing under Lampard.

The 25-year-old is in his second season at the CBS Arena, and he has so far contributed seven goals and five assists to their promotion push this year.

Meanwhile, Brighton loanee Carl Rushworth was also being watched by the Premier League side, as they weigh up a double swoop.

The goalkeeper has been with Coventry since the summer, and he is attracting interest from a number of clubs.

It’s been claimed that Lampard is keen to keep the shot-stopper, but Newcastle are now set to compete for his signature.

The Seagulls are understood to want around £20 million for Rushworth, but it remains to be seen whether any team will be willing to meet that figure.

Coventry are 12 points clear of second place Ipswich, but Kieran McKenna’s side have two games in hand in the race to win the Championship title.

Next up for the Sky Blues is a home clash against 24th place Sheffield Wednesday on 11 April in a 12.30pm kick-off.

Coventry can’t cash in on Jack Rudoni

Signing Rushworth on a permanent basis could be difficult for Coventry given the fee involved and interest from the likes of Newcastle.

But the sale of Rudoni simply can’t happen if they are to be competitive in the Premier League next season with how important he is to Lampard’s side.

While his form took a bit of a hit in the middle of the campaign, he has come back very strongly during this crucial run of eight wins in 10, proving how crucial he is to the team.

The playmaker has a contract with the Sky Blues until June 2028, so there is no immediate need to cash in by any means, so it would have to take a mega offer to tempt Coventry.